Dozens attend firefighter training in Clearwater
CLEARWATER, Fla., (WFLA) – Several firefighter districts in Pinellas County came together to show the community the challenges they face every day on the job.
Participants went through several demonstrations that our local heroes face day in and day out trying to keep the community safe.
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“They get to literally walk in our boots for a day, they carry all of our gear, to see how expensive it is, how heavy it is, how hot it is, and what it takes to be a firefighter,” said Michael Lewis, executive vice president of St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters.
From running hoses to medical scenarios, there were four different situations participants went through.
These demos showed the risks the men and women in uniform take each time they suit up.
“We want to make sure people understand what we do, how we do it, the risk that we take, not just with the actual event, but long-term stuff like cancer and mental health,” said Captain Garth Swingle with St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue.
Other situations were created, like people being trapped in a car or a building filled with smoke.
Elected and appointed officials attended the hands-on training.
“These are policy makers, budget deciders, that really have a chance to weigh in when the time comes, when we ask for additional personnel, or additional equipment,” Lewis said.
“I think it’s really important that as elected officials, we understand the risk they’re taking and we have policies and funding to appropriately mitigate some of those,” said Representative Lindsay Cross.
Those who attended said it was an eye-opening experience.
“I didn’t know how much higher their incidents of cancer were for things like prostate cancer, late-stage colon cancer, but also skin cancer,” Cross said.
The community left thankful for all of our first responders.
“Thank you to our first responders, our firefighters, our police officers, you keep us safe,” Cross said.
The training is an annual event; the next one will be held in 2025.
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